"Wake up… wake up… wake up—" Kraft's shadow fell over Carin's still body. From afar, Frieren watched in silence ... back against the palm tree.
The sand was still warm where it shouldn't have been. Somewhere above, a gull cried once .. then nothing.
Frieren was sketching in her book — the arc of a volleyball, the court's lines, the odd bones of KraftsmanInc's structure. She glanced at Carin once .. just once .. then returned to her drawing.
"Carin, wake up!" Kraft said with a sigh. But Carin didn't respond — until he nudged her slightly with the dorsum of his hand. "Mm… mhm…" Carin shifted, not quite surfacing. Kraft sighed, placing his hand over his temple. "You never change…"
The tide filled the quiet between them. Kraft exhaled slowly, watching her chest rise and fall. Then Frieren gently stood, walking toward them. The cool wind brushed her hair, carrying the scent of the sea. The cry of seagulls drifted in and out, indifferent. Frieren glanced at Kraft, then at Carin.
"She didn't wake up?" Frieren asked.
Kraft tilted his head. "No…"
"But Frieren ... I never saw you look like that… not until the staff."
"Yes," Frieren said, her gaze settling on Carin.
Both stood in silence.
Frieren's gaze dropped to the sand. Somewhere behind them, a wave folded quietly onto the shore.
Until one eye opened .. slow, uncertain.
Sunny descended without a sound, settling on Kraft's shoulder. Kraft didn't move.
"W— what happened…" Carin stirred, rubbing her eye. Until her gaze met Frieren's.
"Ah… you won," Carin murmured, the words landing heavier than she intended.
"Yes," Frieren said. Her voice was calm and steady.
Carin closed her eyes, both arms crossed over her knees.
Frieren turned, staring at the sun. "Well… I am going to leave anyway."
"L— leave?!" Kraft said. "Ah… that makes sense. You just came for a visit, anyway."
Frieren let out a small smile, still staring at the sea. "Nice place…" she said softly, almost to herself. "Kraft."
The sea answered for him — a long, slow exhale against the shore. Kraft opened his mouth, then closed it.
Until Frieren slipped something from her own hand —
Carin's smartphone.
"Curious little scrying stone… I may have to find one for myself," Frieren said, turning it once in her fingers. "But I never thought you'd forget something this important."
Then Frieren gave a sideways glance ... with a smile.
"You seemed to enjoy it... just a little."
Carin's face went crimson. "N— no!" "How would I enjoy something like this?! J— just give me the phone already!!"
Kraft exploded with a laugh — loud enough that Sunny lost his balance on his shoulder. Carin rushed forward and snatched the phone.
Frieren turned. "So… see you both soon."
The wind shifted. Kraft's laughter faded into something quieter , something he didn't name.
Carin's eyes fell to the sand , and caught the sight of Frieren's feet, no longer touching it.
Then she let out —
"W— wait!"